Meeting a New Doctor, Again? 3 Simple Steps to PrepareWhen you’re a seasoned patient, it can feel like a drag to meet a new doctor for the umpteenth time. But for any number of reasons, we patients often find...reactionscomments
Advice for Getting Started in AdvocacyThe journey to begin advocacy can feel overwhelming. Many questions arise. How do I start? What do I say? Does anyone want to hear from me? We recently asked Social...reactionscomments
What Does Advocacy Burnout Look Like for You?Burnout can be defined as a state of prolonged physical or mental stress. Its symptoms can include exhaustion, depression, anxiety, lack of joy doing activities that you previously enjoyed, and...reactions2comments
5 Reasons to Consider the Health Union Patient Leader Certification ProgramIn the realm of healthcare advocacy and patient empowerment, the role of Patient Leaders has gained significant importance. Patient Leaders play a crucial role in advocating for the needs and...reactions10comments
Community Views: Most Rewarding Advocacy ExperienceBeing a health advocate is such a powerful experience for a variety of reasons. To learn more about the ways this role has changed the lives of our Health Leaders...reactionscomments
A How-To Guide for Self-Advocacy: Why Patient Advocacy is ImportantAfter the initial shock of a chronic or terminal illness diagnosis, questions arise. What does this mean? How do I manage the symptoms? Can I afford my treatments and appointments?...reactions2comments
Connexion Replay: A Look At Health LeadershipHealth Leaders wear many hats. Some lead support groups, some advocate for their loved ones at the doctor's office, some work with legislatures to expand healthcare coverage, and more. In...reactionscomments
REPLAY: How to Advocate for a Terminal Condition PanelWe were joined by panelists Olivia Salvo, Sarita Edwards, and Abigail Johnston as they discussed the differences, challenges, and opportunities they encountered while advocating for a terminal diagnosis versus a...reactionscomments
People and Tools That Have Helped Us With Our Advocacy JourneysBehind advocates are people and resources that help them thrive. Family members or friends, apps or tools, each person’s supports are unique. The Social Health Network’s Facebook group recently asked...reactions1comment
Meet the 2023 Social Health Awards FinalistsWe’re excited to announce our 2023 Social Health Awards finalists! It's been an incredible experience for our judges (and our team) to get to know our Health Leaders better through...reactionscomments
Announcing the 2023 Social Health Awards Winners!The Social Health Awards honor and recognize the efforts of patients and caregivers within their communities and at the industry level. Our Health Leaders constantly amaze us through their unique...reactionscomments
My Experience on the Patient Leadership CouncilEditor's note: This article was written by Patient Leader Lisa Marie Basile, who writes and moderates on AxialSpondyloarthritis.net. You can read more of her articles on AxialSpondyloarthritis.net here. You can...reactionscomments
Interview: Hope's Idiopathic Condylar Resorption JourneyRecently we had the pleasure of interviewing Health Leader Hope Tocci, who wanted to share her experience living with Idiopathic Condylar Resorption. You can read her story below. I would...reactions1comment
Community Views: Becoming a Patient LeaderThe journey of advocacy takes many twists and turns. For some, it is easy to get started, while for others it takes time to find a niche. Reaching the point...reactionscomments
Navigating Professional Relationships as a Patient Leader: An Interview With Kathy Reagan YoungWhile she was first focused on patient leadership within the multiple sclerosis (MS) community, Kathy Reagan-Young realized she wanted to elevate her footprint as a Patient Leader and help others...reactions15comments
Let’s Talk Medical Gaslighting: A Panel DiscussionIn this replay session, we aim to not only learn about medical gaslighting but also identify examples in our own lives when we have been gaslighted. We hear from Patient...reactionscomments
Replay: Connexion Opening Session With Health Union's Executive TeamHealth Union hosted their 7th annual Connexion conference for Health Leaders on July 25th and 26th, 2023. Health Leaders from around the world joined virtually and connected, engaged, and learned...reactionscomments
Navigating Copyright as a Patient Leader: An Interview With Gerry LanganBeing a Patient Leader in the chronic, terminal, and rare disease communities is no easy feat. You're constantly balancing managing your health and providing your community content, information, and support...reactions5comments
The Biggest Misunderstandings About Health AdvocacyChoosing to become an advocate means sharing a health journey. To educate others, advocates share personal details about their health. They become vulnerable to help others on similar journeys. Unfortunately...reactionscomments
Impact of Social Health and Community on Living With IllnessSocial health communities positively impact life with illness. Connecting with others and sharing stories is powerful. You share triumphs and challenges. It changes how you feel about your condition. We...reactionscomments